Abstract Based on the panel data of 214 cities prefecture level and above from 2012 to 2020, this paper explores the impact of low-carbon city construction on inclusive low-carbon growth, and examines the mechanism of green technology innovation in the relationship between the two. The study finds that the construction of low-carbon cities can significantly promote inclusive low-carbon growth, and this promotion is more significant in the northeast and western regions and non resource-based cities. The intermediary mechanism test results show that green technology innovation plays an intermediary role in the impact of low-carbon city construction on inclusive low-carbon growth, and the level of marketization plays a regulatory role between low-carbon city construction and inclusive low-carbon growth. Further discussion indicates that the construction of low-carbon cities has a significant positive impact on substantive green technology innovation, but has no significant impact on strategic green technology innovation. Both substantive green technology innovation and strategic green technology innovation can promote inclusive low-carbon growth. Based on this, it is proposed to release inclusive low-carbon growth momentum through low-carbon city construction, build a green low-carbon growth base through green technology innovation, enhance the effectiveness of low-carbon city construction by means of marketization, so as to better achieve inclusive low-carbon growth.
2023, Vol. 40 
